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Third Chit, Chat & Chew Town Hall to engage Southwest residents

8Aug2018

Salisbury City Council and city staff will host the third in a series of community town hall meetings titled, Chit, Chat & Chew, Thursday, Aug. 23, with dinner beginning at 5:15 p.m., at Destiny City Church, 2324 S. Main St. This event will be held for residents in the “Southwest” area of the city, which encompasses neighborhoods such as the Lincoln Heights, King’s Forest, Matika Village and Forest Glen.

Chit, Chat & Chew town halls grew out of a request from Council members and residents who desired increased engagement beyond the city council meeting public comment period. All topics are welcome, though some answers to questions may need additional follow-up.

To allow residents to have more intimate, targeted discussions with City Council members, a map of nine areas was created, sectioning neighborhoods based upon natural barriers, roadways, population distribution and median income. In addition, some neighborhoods have different needs and concerns than others, such as code enforcement, leaf collection and road condition concerns. Town halls will be held in each of the nine areas every other month, although residents throughout the city are welcome at any Chit, Chat & Chew.

“Recognizing that each neighborhood in our city has its own set of challenges and triumphs,” said Anne Little, Salisbury human relations manager, “Chit, Chat & Chew is an opportunity to have some of those challenges addressed or to tout their community accomplishments, and perhaps provide support to others in the room. This event is not only an opportunity for Salisburians to interact with their elected officials, but also with their neighbors in an informal setting.”

In preparation for the discussions, city staff focused on specific neighborhoods during its weekly Community Engagement Friday walks, gathering community-specific concerns of residents. The town hall will begin at 5:45 p.m. after a light dinner is served to attendees.